Chapter 16

“Brother, is this the little burden you took in? You’ve really pampered her!”

With those words, the lively mood in the room suddenly shifted. Zhang Dagen’s previously happy expression faded as well. He had once viewed this child as a burden because he valued boys more. But now that he had a grandson, he was thrilled to have such a sweet, well-behaved little girl who knew how to show affection.

Zhang Dagen couldn’t think the way he used to.

Before he could respond, Zhang Rui, just coming out of a room, looked coldly at Zhang Dagen. “Dad, is this the sister who talks like that and calls people burdens?”

“Pfft!” someone chuckled.

The woman in question looked over, annoyed, realizing it was her sister-in-law. She pouted. “Brother, look at your son and my sister-in-law. What’s their problem? I came all the way here, and this is the welcome I get?”

Zhang Dagen coughed lightly, glancing sternly at Zhang Rui. “Mind your words; this is your aunt!” He didn’t even look at me. Over the years, he had come to rely on his son, seeing his wife as the decision-maker in the family. He no longer had the same authority as he did in his youth.

In the past, he was the head of the household. Now that Zhang Rui had grown up, he leaned on him, and it was clear his son was closer to his mother. Because of this, Zhang Dagen rarely voiced his opinions at home. His son was dutiful, and he had no complaints.

Indeed, Zhang Dagen was well aware of the situation, as was his wife, Li Mizhen, who didn’t interfere much in their sons’ matters. This approach allowed each of their three sons to develop unique personalities.

Zhang Rui forced a smile and greeted the woman. “Hello, Aunt.”

Her face brightened instantly as she saw Zhang Rui waving at the little girl.

Tian Jiao grinned, running into Zhang Rui’s arms. “Dad!”

“Yes, yes!” Zhang Rui responded cheerfully, then turned to his aunt. “Please be respectful. This is my daughter, not a burden!”

“Hehe!” This time it was Tian Jiao’s turn to laugh. She nuzzled against Zhang Rui’s arms and said, “Yes, Jiaojiao isn’t a burden.”

The aunt scoffed. “Of course she is! Another ten years, and she’ll be married off, taking everything with her and bringing nothing back. How can she not be?”

Tian Jiao blinked innocently and asked, “Are you like that too? Are you here to take things from us?”

Zhang Rui couldn’t help but laugh. This girl had cleverness! “Jiaojiao is right. Every time you visit, you leave with more than you brought. Maybe this time you should keep it!”

Zhang Dagen called out, “Zhang Rui!”

Li Mizhen, having noticed the rising tension, quickly gave Zhang Rui a look to calm him down.

Zhang Rui ignored it, protecting Tian Jiao from seeing the scene.

The aunt’s face was pale, her breathing ragged.

Unfazed, Tian Jiao only felt happy that her father had her back. She tilted her head and continued, “Don’t worry, Aunt. I’m definitely not a burden. I won’t take anything from Dad.”

The aunt, frustrated, finally gathered her things to leave. “Fine, Brother, you’ve really done it this time. I’m going!”

Just then, Tian Jiao noticed a young boy next to her aunt, quietly munching on a candy. He seemed about seven or eight, a bit chubby but not much more so than other kids. He didn’t react to their words, staying calm.

The aunt was truly furious, and Zhang Dagen rushed over to console her.

Zhang Rui chuckled and took Tian Jiao back to her room. “Did you finish your homework? Make sure you do it before going out to play. Good habits matter.”

This was a routine for Zhang Rui, who never tired of reminding her. He worried she might end up like him. Secretly, he felt a bit guilty.

Back in his school days, he rarely did his homework, relying on his classmates’ answers.

Tian Jiao was his dream daughter, fulfilling everything he imagined. Even when he nagged, she nodded sweetly. “I did, Dad. Can I go play now?”

Zhang Rui nodded. “Sure, go ahead. Just be back for dinner.”

Tian Jiao nodded, dropped her schoolbag, and dashed outside.

But before she got far, she heard her aunt complaining again, “My grandson can’t share a bed with anyone else. Just let that girl sleep on the floor, then!”

…

This aunt was Zhang Fang, Zhang Dagen’s sister, seven years younger than him. Zhang Dagen, a kind-hearted man, felt bad for his sister, who had married poorly. Times were even harder back then, and she had been wed to help the family get by.

So Zhang Dagen always felt responsible for her and did his best to help whenever she needed it.

He had two younger brothers, Zhang Ergen and Zhang Sangen, but unlike Zhang Dagen, they didn’t feel as much guilt toward Zhang Fang. They would give her some help occasionally, but if it became too frequent, they wouldn’t be so generous.

So Zhang Fang relied solely on this one brother.

She wasn’t just here to visit. Her family had run out of food, so she came to borrow some supplies and leave her grandson with them for a couple of days. Her daughter-in-law had just given birth, and she would soon have a second grandson.

Of course, she had two granddaughters as well, but Zhang Fang, who favored boys, always ignored them.

The Zhang family had plenty of rooms, but after Zhang Zhi and his wife moved out, Li Mizhen had used the room where Tian Jiao once slept for storage and let Tian Jiao stay in the room Zhang Zhi and his wife used before.

Zhang Rui had a room to himself, while Zhang Dagen and Li Mizhen shared theirs.

Zhang Fang hadn’t let her precious grandson stay with Zhang Rui because she knew Zhang Rui wasn’t one to be trifled with and worried that her eldest grandson might be bullied.

At least, that’s how Zhang Rui explained it to Tian Jiao.

Zhang Rui never dealt with a clueless child. From the beginning, Tian Jiao was sensible and understood everything he said to her.

So when something bothered him, he would just tell her.

By now, only the Zhang family remained; the neighbors who had come to watch had already left. Zhang Rui felt even freer to speak his mind. He told Zhang Fang flatly, “Either he shares a room with me, or you take your grandson back. It’s better for you to watch over your precious treasure yourself!”

Zhang Fang was taken aback. She glared at the youngest, growing more upset. “Brother, is this how you taught your son? Letting him talk to me like this?”

Zhang Dagen coughed awkwardly, but thankfully, his recent time with Tian Jiao helped him stay reasonable. “After all, Jiaojiao is a girl, so let Goudan sleep with third brother”

Zhang Fang hesitated, caught between staying and going. Just as she was about to leave, her grandson, Zhai Goudan, shrugged her off and said, “I’m staying here, Grandma! Auntie, I want more Ding Ding candy!”

Zhang Fang smiled at Li Mizhen. “Sister-in-law, where’s the candy? I’ll get some. The child’s craving it…”

Li Mizhen calmly waved her hand. “Only a little candy a day. No more.”

Zhai Goudan protested, tugging his grandma and whining, “Grandma, I want more! Please get it!”

Zhang Fang comforted him as best she could, grumbling under her breath, “It’s just a bit of candy. Not a big deal.”

Zhang Rui’s temper flared. “If you think we’re stingy, then take your grandson home! You send him here without any food, and he eats free and complains? That’s a bit much!”

Zhang Fang snapped, “He’s just a kid! How much can he eat?”

Zhang Rui replied, “Then he can have one sweet potato and no more!”

“Brother!” Zhang Fang looked to her brother for help.

Zhang Dagen, trying to calm things down, said patiently, “Zhang Rui, why don’t you take Dabao and Jiaojiao out to play so I can speak to your aunt?”

Zhang Rui rolled his eyes, took each child by the hand, and led them outside. He would have left sooner if his father hadn’t insisted on entertaining guests.

Tian Jiao leaned on his shoulder and grinned. “Dad, you’re awesome!”

Zhang Rui chuckled, “Jiaojiao is strong too! Remember, you can suffer a loss, but not twice. If it happens a third time, it’s time to rethink things. I got taken advantage of by her many times—never again!”

Tian Jiao nodded earnestly but looked up at the sky, thinking about her study time.

Zhang Rui misread her expression and thought she was bored. Dabao, waving his chubby hands, pointed around. “There, there!”

“Let’s go to the mountain,” Zhang Rui suggested. “We might find some green dates.”

At the mention of food, Tian Jiao’s eyes lit up. She slurped at the thought of sour-sweet green dates and nodded eagerly. “Yes, I want some!”

“Little foodie!” Zhang Rui laughed, bumping his head gently against hers.

“Oh, Dad, you want them too!” Tian Jiao laughed, leaning back but gripping his neck so she wouldn’t fall.

Dabao, seeing them play, ran over.

Zhang Rui straightened up quickly to hold both children safely. “My little adventurers, stay still!”

Dabao pouted, only for Zhang Rui to pinch his ear playfully.

Laughing, the three of them headed to the foot of Lanshan Mountain. Before long, they spotted a jujube tree covered in ripe fruit. “There it is!” Zhang Rui exclaimed.

“It looks delicious!” Tian Jiao reached up, picked one, and bit in.

The date was huge, and Tianjiao’s small chubby hand couldn’t hold it all. With a crisp “crack,” the skin split, revealing the tender, white flesh inside, which looked delicious.

When he took a bite, the taste was both sour and sweet, though more sour than sweet. It was very tasty. He finished it in a few bites, tossed the pit far away, took off his coat, and started picking more dates.

“Eat! Eat!” Dabao tugged at her pants excitedly, almost pulling them down.

Tianjiao broke into a cold sweat, quickly removing the core from the half-eaten fruit in her hand and handing it to him. She also had to keep an eye on him to make sure he didn’t eat too many calories.

“Dabao, if you pull my pants again, I will beat you!” Tian Jiao threatened, scrunching up her face in mock fierceness.

Dabao looked up at her, blinking, as if trying to process her words. Then, with a pout, he toddled over and called out, “Sister!”

Tian Jiao’s stern expression softened instantly.

Zhang Rui chuckled, gathered a large bag of dates, and said to the kids, “Let’s go home.”

“Yes!” Tian Jiao nodded, stretching out her hand. “Dabao, you can’t eat while walking.”

Dabao looked up at her with big, pleading eyes.

Tian Jiao frowned, recognizing that expression. As she thought about it, Zhang Rui chuckled, “Jiaojiao, he looks just like you! You’re great at copying expressions, huh?”

Tian Jiao blushed, threw away the half-eaten date she was holding, and walked ahead, slightly embarrassed.

Since Dabao was only a bit over a year old, it was risky to let him walk and eat at the same time. They returned with their haul, and on the way, Zhang Rui casually pointed out another jujube tree, drawing attention from passersby.

Midway back, they ran into Zhang Zhi, who was coming back from outside the village. Zhang Rui stopped and called out, “Brother, I picked some dates. Want to take a few back?”

Zhang Zhi’s eyes brightened, but his attention was entirely on his son. He rushed over, scooping Dabao into his arms. “Oh, my Dabao! Did you miss Daddy?”

Dabao nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Dad!”

The simple response made Zhang Zhi’s face light up with joy.

Tian Jiao couldn’t help but roll her eyes a little, watching the scene. Zhang Rui, too, shook his head, knowing his mother’s decision to keep Dabao had been right. If they had left him with his mother, Ding Yushu, who knows how Dabao would have turned out.

Ding Yushu hadn’t even come to check on Dabao since the separation agreement was signed between Zhang Zhi and the family. It was said she had tried to create a scene upon learning of it, but Zhang Zhi had shut it down by threatening divorce. Realizing she’d struggle without Zhang Zhi’s support, Ding Yushu backed down. Still, she spread rumors that the Zhang family elders were cruel and unfair to her.

But no one believed her. The conflict had even reached the village captain, who was usually a neutral party. It was clear Ding Yushu was in the wrong.

Zhang Rui watched his older brother’s visibly slimmer figure, feeling a mix of pity and frustration.

Meanwhile, Tian Jiao squatted nearby, drawing letters in the dirt with a branch. She wanted to do more artwork, but Grandpa Song had advised her to keep her drawing talents hidden for now.

Zhang Rui found it amusing to watch his daughter write, especially when he noticed something surprising. “Jiaojiao, have you memorized all this?”

Tian Jiao nodded, as if it were the most natural thing. “Yes, I remember it all.”

Upon closer inspection, Zhang Rui realized her handwriting was beautiful.

Was she really only five?

Thinking of the surprising luck he’d had since raising a daughter, Zhang Rui had to wonder if there was something magical about it all. But he brushed the thought away, smiling instead. “Jiaojiao, you’re amazing. Your handwriting is much better than mine! When I need to write something, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Really?” Tian Jiao beamed, encouraged by the praise. She eagerly continued copying text from her school book, looking to him for approval each time she completed a sentence, her big, round eyes shining.

Zhang Rui could only smile, thinking, *Isn’t this almost too much cuteness to handle?*

_

That night, Tian Jiao had trouble sleeping. She was startled by an argument in the room across the hall, followed by a shrill cry. Zhang Dagen stepped out of his room to investigate, but after a moment, he quietly returned.

Listening as the sobs weakened and eventually faded, Tian Jiao finally drifted off, dreaming vividly. She imagined herself as a hungry grown-up lying in bed with a sweet lollipop, savoring it slowly.

When she awoke, she was still smacking her lips.

“Jiaojiao, wake up!” A familiar voice pulled her back to reality. She got up and went to wash up.

Zhang Rui handed her a soft-boiled egg, peeled and ready. “So, corn or sweet potato today?”

“Sweet potato.” Tian Jiao took a bite of the egg, savoring the yolk’s soft, runny center. Zhang Rui went to the kitchen to get her a sweet potato.

Just as she was about to take a bite, a small hand shot out unexpectedly. Zhai Goudan was reaching over. “I want some, too!”

Instinctively, Tian Jiao turned to shield her egg. She noticed he still held an unfinished egg of his own and glared at him. “You already have one!”

Zhai Goudan replied as if it were obvious, “Why should a girl like you get to eat an egg?”

Tian Jiao took another big bite. “Well, I did, so there!”

Zhai Goudan tried to snatch it, but Zhang Rui came in just then. He grabbed Zhai Goudan by the back of the collar. “Didn’t you cause enough trouble last night?”

Zhai Goudan immediately shrank back, shoving the last of his egg into his mouth, and gave Zhang Rui a sad look. “Uncle…”

“Hmph,” Tian Jiao scoffed, enjoying her egg with a satisfied smile.

Zhang Rui smiled too, but he held Zhai Goudan’s head and pulled him away. “Come on, let’s talk.”

Zhai Goudan cried out, “Stop, uncle! I… I haven’t finished eating yet…”

Zhang Rui replied sternly, “Don’t eat yet.”

After finishing her eggs, Tian Jiao picked up a hot baked sweet potato and enjoyed it with a spoon. The soft, sweet taste was truly delightful.

When she finished eating slowly, she realized it was still early, so she hurried out. Zhang Rui, who was still lecturing, noticed that the child was suddenly gone.

But she didn’t disappear for long. She returned just a few minutes later, her face flushed.

With all the commotion, it was nearly time for school. Zhai Goudan waited by the entrance, holding a corn cob, with red eyes and a sad expression.